There is nowhere quite like Christmas in London with kids – the city transforms into a Winter Wonderland of lights, markets, ice skating rinks, beautifully decorated shops and festive displays. For the last few years I’ve made it my goal to check out the very best experiences London has to offer over the festive period and since having Oscar and Noah (aged 7 and 3) I’ve tried my fair share of activities!
I’m now sharing my ultimate guide to Christmas in London with kids in 2026, I hope it’s useful to you!
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
If you’re visiting with a baby or toddler, I also have a dedicated guide to the best Christmas things to do in London with babies and toddlers, with ideas better suited to younger children.
Christmas Lights
My absolute favourite thing to do at Christmas time is to check out the Christmas decorations around the streets of London adorning the facades of shops, restaurants and hotels. This is a great thing to do and it’s absolutely free!
In Mayfair I recommend taking a trip to Bond Street where top designer stores have incredible decorations. Look out for Cartier, Dior, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
On Regent Street you can see the famous angels, a canopy of over 300,000 lights over the famous shopping street. On nearby Piccadilly, Fortnum & Mason is the star of the show and for the last few years has transformed its facade into a giant illuminated advent calendar. Not too far away in Knightsbridge, you’ll also find Harrods absolutely aglow with festive cheer!
You can see the sights for yourself, take a walking tour or a bus tour.
Covent Garden is a great place to check out decorations with a uge Christmas tree plus the famous bells and sleigh. This year, the Ever After Garden is in Chelsea. It’s stunning and all for charity!
One of the best facades is always famous private members’ club, Annabel’s in Berkeley Square, so don’t forget to pay a visit!
Christmas in London can get expensive very quickly, but some of the most magical experiences don’t cost anything at all, like these light displays. I’ve put together a separate guide to the best free things to do in London at Christmas with kids, including trees, markets, displays and my favourite festive walking route.
Experiences
Winter Wonderland – Love it or hate it… I can go either way myself, but Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is one of London’s signature Christmas experiences. You’ll find Christmas markets, thrilling rides, Father Christmas’s Grotto, ice skating and shows. Entry can be free depending on the time you visit. There are new rides, shows and packages this year.
Date: 19 November – 3 January
Paddington Bear – We loved the Paddington Bear Experience, and for Christmas the immersive experience on London’s South Bank gets a festive makeover with a Christmas Tree and festive treats. With stunning decorations including a 5.5-metre centrepiece Christmas tree and a beautifully lit Windsor Gardens, the whole family can enjoy Paddington’s World at Christmas. There may even be a chance of snow…!
Date: 10 November – 4 January
Age: All ages (children aged2 + need a ticket)
Price: From £24
Wundrful World of Christmas London – An immersive adventure to the North Pole and Immerse London.
Date: 13 November – 24 December
Age: All ages
Price: From children £24.90, adults £29.90
Gingerbread City – An entire city built from gingerbread! You can make your own gingerbread houses too. Info coming soon.
The Shard – Seasonal activities. Info coming soon.
London Eye – Santa in the Sky. Enjoy festive crafts, games, and sweet treats before stepping aboard a decorated London Eye pod to meet Santa himself.
Date: 21st November – 24th December
Age: All ages
Price: From £39
Scrooge Cirque Extravaganza – a cirque-style twist on the classic tale, combining musical theatre, impressive circus performances and plenty of laughs for the whole family.
Date: 23 to 28 December at ExCel Centre
Age: All ages
Price: From £29.99
Cirque Alice is a joyous acrobatic adventure filled with breathtaking twists, astonishing gravity-defying feats and unforgettable performances based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. At the Southbank Centre.
Date: 12 December – 23 January
Age: 5+
Price: From £35
Magical Train rides
The Polar Express – A magical theatrical train ride based on the film. The train leaves from Euston Station. This is one of London’s hottest Christmas tickets.
Date: 5 December – 23rd December
Age: All ages
Price: From £69 under-2s are £5
Steam Dreams Santa – Steam Express – A 90-minute steam-hauled journey to meet Santa, with festive entertainment for the whole family. Every child receives a gift. Leaves from Victoria Station.
Date: 12 and 19 December with different time slots.
Age All ages
Price From £45
Light Trails
Kew Gardens – the Christmas light trail is always a sell-out – I’ve still never actually made it myself. Expect large scale illuminations, light tunnels and a visit from Father Christmas. Tickets are available now.
Date: 13 November – 3 January
Age: All ages
Price: From £25.50
Kenwood – Neverland at Kenwood. Follow Tinker Bell through a reimagined London for this immersive light trail. We loved this last year. Details for 2026 to come
Chelsea Light Trail – 1.5km light trail filled with large-scale art, interactive installations and soundscapes. It’s the only light trail in central London.
Date: 25 November – 28 December
Age: All ages
Price: Children £17.75, Adults £26.50
Santa’s Winter Garden at Fulham Palace – This sounds great for kids with a snowy garden, candy cane walk, snow maze and vintage sleds. Finally there’s a meet-and-greet with Santa at the North Pole Lodge.
Bus Tours
A great way to enjoy the lights of London is with a bus tour paired with an afternoon tea. This year there are so many great themes available including Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Paddington, Grinchmas (use the code SILVERSPOON10 for a 10% discount on this one) and The Snowman. If you want to do the tour minus the tea, there are also lots of options for Christmas lights tours on London buses which is a convenient way to enjoy the lights without crowds. Hamleys are also running a Christmas Bus tour which will include some favourite children’s characters.
Ice rinks in London
Glide at Battersea Power Station by Boots is my favourite ice rink and it’s become a tradition for us to go there on Christmas Eve. The backdrop of the Power Station and the view of the Thames is spectacular!
Date: 6 November – 3 January
Age: 3 +
Price: Children £11.93, adults £19.38
Skate at Somerset House is another of London’s iconic ice rinks. Sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Holidays, there are exclusive Skate sessions and a lounge-inspired Clubhouse with rink-side views.
Date: 11 November – 10 January
Age: From age 3+
Price: TBC
There are usually more ice rinks announced around London so check back here for details.
Shopping
You can’t go wrong with the big department stores. Harrods of course is THE department store to go to at Christmas and as well as stunning external decorations, there’s an amazing Christmas shop and toy department. Selfridges always go all out – check back here to find out this year’s theme.
Fortnum & Mason and Liberty will both be beautifully decorated with lovely Christmas shops too. Hamleys is London’s biggest and best toy shop but we also love the LEGO store in Leicester Square – both get very crowded though!
Don’t forget about London’s famous arcades, The Burlington Arcade is historic and traditional (plus a great place to get a hot chocolate) and the Royal Arcade and Piccadilly Arcade are also gorgeous with a luxurious festive atmosphere.
We love London’s Christmas markets too and as well as Winter Wonderland you can find markets at London’s South Bank, Leicester Square and Old Spitalfields. Personally I like the small market at Trafalgar Square which also gives you the chance to see the famous Christmas Tree. Leadenhall is a historic market building and is also worth checking out. We also love Battersea Power Station for a quieter shopping experience and there is always festive events there including markets, an ice rink, rides and in-store activities.
Hotels
Something I love doing is checking out the facades of some of London’s most beautiful hotels, but also nipping in for a glass of champagne or a festive-themed afternoon tea and to admire the Christmas tree.
The Dorchester is somewhere very special with the most gorgeous towering Christmas tree. The hotel is very special to me, as we had Christmas lunch there two years ago at The Grill, although Christmas dining is offered at several locations throughout the hotel.
Claridges – To many, it’s the GOAT and every year the Christmas tree inside is created by a famous designer. The festive menus and afternoon tea will be something very special.
The Langham Hotel – The hotel has a partnership with Hamleys London’s biggest and best toy store. They are hosting a Hamleys grotto and a special Hamleys- inspired afternoon tea.
The Ritz – I always pay a visit as the decorations are gorgeous, but be aware they are strict on who they let in. Christmas meals and festive stays in absolute luxury are the order of the day at one of London’s most famous hotels.
The Savoy – Another hotel I often check out, – and I once spent Christmas Day there. It’s a very special place and has a great location for shopping and the theatre.
The Goring, The Connaught, The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, The Lanesborough, The Peninsula and The Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane are also all places that can be counted on for festive cheer.
If you’d prefer to escape the city and let somebody else take care of Christmas, see my guide to the best luxury family Christmas breaks in the UK.
Restaurants
There are lots of restaurants in London offering a large serving of Christmas cheer with fantastic decorations. Many of them are child-friendly too.
The Ivy – The Ivy group always goes above and beyond and The Ivy Festive Set Menu is a collection of seasonal favourites and adored Ivy classics. At the Ivy children can step into a world of festive wonder with Breakfast with Elves Experience, this Christmas and a series of enchanting mornings with a touch of playful mischief. Taking place on 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd December. The restaurants are always beautifully decorated too.
Sister restaurant group, Harry’s will also have extra special dishes on the menu.
The Brasserie of Light – Will be serving a festive menu which diners can enjoy while gazing at the glittering Pegasus statue. The piece de resistance is the ice palace dessert which gives Disney princess vibes.
Daphne’s – This luxurious restaurant is always decked out beautifully for Christmas.
Duck & Waffle – One of London’s tallest restaurants is always beautifully decorated.
34 Mayfair – One of my favourite London restaurants is also beautiful at Christmas.
Sketch – Sketch always has some of the best decorations in town.
Dalloway Terrace – This spot is always full of festive cheer and will have a festive children’s afternoon tea.
SUSHISAMBA – The Covent Garden restaurant and Heron Tower location will be fully decked and serving festive menus.
If you love afternoon tea, here are some of the best child-friendly afternoon teas in London
Christmas Grottos
For me there’s nothing that sets the tone for Christmas quite like a visit to Santa’s grotto and these take meeting the big man to a whole new level. With enchanted forests, snowy trails, storytelling and the chance to post your own letters to Father Christmas, these are the best Santa’s grottos in London.
Looking specifically for Father Christmas? See my full guide to the best Santa’s Grottos in London 2026, including unusual places to meet Santa, festive trains and immersive experiences.
Anya’s Grotto – In Anya’s Village in Belgravia has long been one of my favourite Santa experiences in London.
It’s so much more than just saying hi to Father Christmas and receiving a present. Children enter through the shop, where you can browse the baubles and gingerbread, before heading downstairs with a cheeky elf for an immersive storytelling adventure. Along the way they complete festive tasks before eventually finding Santa in a beautifully decorated icy wonderland filled with distinctive Anya touches. The experience lasts around 30 minutes and includes a gift for each child.
SilverSpoon Tip: Book well in advance as this is a popular one! Before or after the grotto I recommend experiencing the Festive Afternoon Tea at Anya Cafe – we loved the spring one.
Age: Ages 2-8
Dates: 7 November – 24 December
Price: £65 for one adult and one child
Hamleys – Hamleys Santa’s Grotto 2026 is at the Regent Street store. Tickets are listed at £75–£195. The experience includes a welcome from Santa’s elves, a visit with Santa and a keepsake.
John Lewis and The LEGO® Group present Santa’s Enchanted Grotto. Details to come.
Chelsea Physic Garden will have a cosy Father Christmas storytelling experience inside a festive greenhouse-themed grotto. Father Christmas will share a heartwarming Christmas story before meeting each child, giving them a special gift and posing for a festive photo. Afterwards, families can explore the winter gardens and take part in an eco-friendly Christmas craft activity.
SilverSpoon Tip: This feels like a lovely gentler option for younger children, especially if you want to combine meeting Father Christmas with a peaceful festive day out rather than a huge immersive production like Winter Wonderland. Have hot chocolate or mulled wine in the café afterwards. The Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair is one of my favourites, so check back here for details.
Best for: Younger children and families looking for a quieter, more traditional experience
Dates: Friday 4, Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Friday 11, Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 2026
Price: £14.50 per child, £12.50 per adult
Meet Santa at London Zoo. Details to come.
Santa’s Grotto at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is the largest free grotto in London. Children can meet Santa inside the grotto, and little ones receive a present from him too. Mrs Claus also makes appearances, greeting families from the grotto balcony.
SilverSpoon Tip: We did this a few years ago and honestly it’s underwhelming but decent if you’re already visiting Winter Wonderland and want to add in a Santa visit without paying extra. Go early in the morning that whole place place gets very busy after around 3pm.
Best for: Families looking for a free and easy Santa experience
Dates: During Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Price: Free
Natural History Museum – Join Santa as he shares a magical Christmas story filled with surprises that both children and parents will love. After the story, capture the moment with a festive photo and take home a special T. rex tree decoration. Visit the famous animatronic T. rex afterwards, which is sporting its very own dino-sized version of our Christmas jumper.
Date: 1 December – 22 December
Age: All ages
Price: £18 members; 20 non-members
London Museum, Docklands – Victorian Santa’s Grotto. The Sailortown gallery is decorated for Christmas, where you can meet Santa in his Dickensian-style grotto. Lots of other activities including performances and sensory sessions for babies.
Date: 20 November – 23 December
Age: All ages
Price: From £15
London Transport Museum – Climb aboard an interactive sleigh with buttons and bells, and meet Santa.
Details to come.
Shrek the Halls at the Shrek Experience – Gingy Christmas Sweet & Greet and Shrek Santa at the Shrek Experience on the South Bank. Details to come.
Santa’s Grotto at The Queen’s House – Step into a world of snow and Christmas wonder at the Queen’s House this festive season. Take a trip into a former royal residence and travel into the icy land of the Snow Queen, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s enchanting fairy tale.
Date: 14 November – 24 December
Age: All ages
Price: From £27
Santa’s Grotto at FUJIFILM House of Photography in Covent Garden – An immersive experience with crafting, games and photo booths.
Date: 14 November – 24 December
Age: All ages
Price: £37 per child
Chiswick House and Garden – Twelve Days of Christmas. Beautifully dressed rooms with a festive theme and mouse trail for kids, plus Santa’s Grotto. Details to come.
Fortnum & Mason – Storytelling with Father Christmas – This is an extremely popular ticket, taking place at London’s beautifully traditional department store.
Date: 27 November – 24 December
Age: 3–11
Price: £49.46 per child
Also check out Alexandra Palace, Eltham Palace, Kenwood, and Hobbledown Heath.
Additional activities at London Musuems
The Postal Museum – Festive tunnel walks and Christmas display cases. Details to come.
Museum of the Home – Christmas installation and winter market and wreath making. Details to come
Discover Children’s Story Centre – Details to come.
RAF Musuem – Christmas Elf Cadet Training. Details to come
Shows
Here’s the very best in Christmas shows, music and carols for kids in London for 2026.
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith. Join Father Christmas as he prepares his deliveries, feeds his reindeer and takes flight into the night.
Date: 18th November – 31 December
Age: Under 6
Price: From £15
Cinderella at The Lyric Hammersmith – An enchanting festive treat.
Date: 14 November – 3 January
Age: 6+
Price: From £10
Bach to Baby – Classic concerts for baby with festive themes.
Date: Various
Age: All ages
Price: £15
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre – Christmas Eve magic brings a snowman to life, and a young boy and his new friend embark on an unforgettable adventure through the starlit sky, meeting Father Christmas, friendly reindeer and more along the way in this classic tale. This year there is brand-new staging that will take you soaring with songs like ‘Walking In the Air’.
Date: 21 November – 3 January
Age: All ages (under 2s are free)
Price: From £18
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show – At Theatre Royal Haymarket, with an appearance from Baby Evie. With a new arrival on the way, the whole family are busy getting ready. With building and decorating work to be done!
Date: 4 December – 3 January
Age: All ages
Price: From £10
Christmas Lights – The power of friendship can light up the dark.
Date: 11 November – 22 November
Age: 1-4 years
Peter Pan – Take a journey to Neverland
Date: 14 November – 24 January
Age: 5–12 years
Antarctica – the Adventure Theatre is transformed into a wintry wonderland for younger audiences
Date: 27 November – 17 January
Age: 3–7 years
The Big Bash – A magical festive party, followed by a show.
Date: 6 December
Age: All ages
Pinocchio at The Globe Theatre – An unmissable new musical version.
Date: 28 November – 3 January
Age: 5+
Price: From £5 for standing tickets
Stick Man at Bloomsbury Theatre – a brilliantly fun adaptation of the Julia Donaldson book. How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree in time for Christmas?
Date: 3 December – 3 January
Age: all ages (under 2s are free)
Price: From £10
Cinderella Pantomime at the London Palladium – The West End’s biggest Christmas theatre show. Comedy legends Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reunite on the West End stage for the first time in 17 years as the wickedly hilarious Ugly Sisters, with panto sensation Julian Clary, wand in hand, as the glittering Fairy Godfather.
Date: 5 December – 10 January
Age: 4+ (under-4’s will not be admitted). Parental discretion – lots of innuendo!
Price: Prices vary
Unicorn Theatre
Santa’s First Christmas – Santa spends every Christmas Eve spreading joy around the world. He’s so busy that he never gets the chance to celebrate himself. His elves want to change that.
Date: 14 November – 3 January
Age: 4+
Price: Children £10
Huddle – In the frozen landscape of Antarctica, Mr Penguin receives a special delivery… his very own egg.
Date:27 November – 3 January
Age: 1–4
Price: Children £16.50
Disney on Ice – Discover the Magic,
Date: There are shows throughout the UK from November to January. In London 24 December – 3 January.
Age: All ages. Under-2s free.
Price: From £44
Greenwich Theatre: Jack and the Beanstalk – A giant pantomime adventure.
Date: 27 November – 10 January
Age: All Ages
Price: Child £23.75, adult £46
The Nutcracker at The London Coliseum – Join Clara on a fantastical adventure at the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker with 100 dancers and musicians.
Date: 17 December – 10th January
Age: 5 + but there is a family day on 9th of Jan for under-5s.
Price: From £27.25
Candlelight Christmas Classics – Live, multi-sensory musical experience.
Date: 12 December and 18 December
Age: All ages
Price: From £20
Little Angel Theatre
The Snowflake – Based on the timeless Christmas story by Benji Davies
Date: 21 November – 23 January
Age: 5+
Price: Adult £18, child £16
Scruff’s Christmas Adventure – It’s Christmas Eve, and Scruff the puppy can’t sleep.
Date: 28 November – 3 January
Age: 3–6 years
Price: Adult £18, child £16
Dear Santa at Battersea Arts Centre – From the author of the well-loved children’s book Dear Zoo, Rod Campbell, comes Dear Santa.
Date: 28 November – 24 December
Age: This show is an ideal introduction to theatre for those aged two and over.
Price: Prices vary
Family Christmas Carols with Little London Music School – Suitable for babies, toddlers, school-aged children and their families. An afternoon of Christmas carols and songs.
Age: All ages.
Price: From £10
Room on the Broom – Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. At the Lyric Theatre.
Date: 27 November – 3 January
Age: 3+
Price: From £10
The Smartest Giant in Town – George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. But after a trip to a fancy clothes shop, he has a spectacular new look: smart trousers, a smart shirt, a stripy tie, and shiny shoes. St Martin’s Theatre
Date: 9 December – 3 January
Age: 2–8
Price: From £13
JW3
Chanukah Funukah with music, crafts, and festive fun (and food)!
Date: 29th November
Age: 3+
Price: Children £12, adults £10
Dick Whittingberg Gets Into a Pickle – The famous JW3 Panto! Last year’s was hilarious and I can’t wait for this one. Join Dick and his cat Tevye as they arrive in Victorian London looking for a better life.
Date: 6 December – 3 January
Age: Parental guidance
Price: £27/£32 per adult, £17/£20 per child
If you’re planning a festive theatre trip, I’ve put together a full guide to the best Christmas shows in London for kids, including pantomimes, shows for younger children, ballet and Christmas concerts.
Less Than Two Hours From London
Hogwarts in the Snow at the Harry Potter Studios. The Great Hall will be transformed into scenes from the Yule Ball
Date: 14 November – 17 January
Age: Under 4s free
Price: from £58.50
LaplandUK – Probably the hottest ticket in the UK, now in Ascot and Manchester. General tickets are sold out but there are still tickets available for the Golden Experience, which is the most premium experience.
Date: 7 November – 24 December
Age: All ages (groups must include at least one child)
Price: From £299 per person; under 1s go free.
Blenheim Palace – Magical memories are around every corner with Christmas at Blenheim Palace. Highlights include Illuminated Trail, glide on the iconic Great Court at The Great Skate, Christmas Market.
Date: 13 November – 3rd January
Age: All ages
Price: Prices vary
LEGOLAND – There’s so much fun to be had at LEGOLAND Windsor including a giant DUPLO Christmas tree, meeting Father Christmas, an Elf Training Academy, the Festival of Flurries Show, Nutcracker Marching Band. Festive stays are available.
Date: 21 November – 2 January
Age: All ages
Price: £34
Chessington World of Adventures – Winter’s Tail. A festive and thrilling day out at this theme park and zoo. Expect Santa’s grotto, panto, light trails and carolling. Short breaks available.
Date: 21 November – 24 December
Age: All ages
Price: £32
Willows Activity Farm – Grotto, festive funfair rides, festive shows, teddy bear workshop, meet reindeer and more.
Date: November – December
Age: All ages
Price: Prices vary
Port Lympne – Port Lympne is an incredible hotel and reserve in Kent known for its unique rooms, immersive animal experiences and conservation programme. It’s the most incredible festive light trail across the 600-acre wildlife reserve. The woodland paths are transformed into an enchanted forest with animal-inspired light installations, holograms, glowing tunnels, interactive displays and Santa’s grotto. We did it last year and it was one of my favourite Christmas experiences.
NEW for 2026: Elfwood – The festive elves have spread their winter magic around Pinewood and transformed it into a winter wonderland full of family-friendly winter fun!
The hotel will Nightlights packages to combine the light trail with an overnight stay in one of the unique lodges – or do as we did and stay in a treehouse!
Date: 27 November – 22 January
Age: All ages
Price: From £19 per adult, £10 per child
Hampton Court – This Christmas, you are invited into an enchanted world. Step inside The Winter Palace in the glowing halls of Hampton Court Palace meet friendly puppets and gentle mythical creatures, as the story is woven through live performance and music.
Date: 28 November until 3 January
Age: All ages
Price: Included with Palace Entry.
Hampton Court will also be featuring an ice rink inspired by traditional royal decoration.
Date: 20 November until 3 January
Age: Parental guidance
Price: Additional ticket, not included in Palace entry.
Christmas in London with kids really is one of my favourite times of year. From the lights and festive shows to Santa’s grottos, ice skating and special Christmas experiences, there is so much to choose from.
I’ll keep updating this guide as more details for Christmas 2026 are announced, so do check back for the latest additions.
If you’re planning a festive day out in London with children, I hope this helps you find something that feels really special for your family.
PIN IT!!
